Inspiring Travel – Appreciating Home

During a recent trip to historic and beautiful England, I found myself strolling along the busy narrow streets of Oxford. They were lined with castle-like colleges, Tutor-style houses and majestic churches. The streets were bustling with double decker busses, rushing bicycles, black cabs and long gowned graduates. I suddenly realized that for the past two weeks I had not once looked up at the sky! I was surprised by a revelation that reminded me of what was beautiful about my humble hometown.

Back home, in Amarillo, Texas, I look up at the sky all of the time. I am inspired daily by seeing the wondrous, dramatic, and ever changing expanse above and all around me. There, on that dream-come-true vacation, God again drew my attention to why I love the sky at home. Back on the High Plains, flat and dry as it is, there is nothing to block my view. I barely have to look up to see enormous clouds, bright dramatic colors and great moving streaks of rain. And at night, I don’t have to strain my neck to find a universe filled with dazzling stars.

I say, again and remind, because I know I have had these thoughts before. I even wrote a poem (included below) about them in my recently released photography/poetry book, Listening Like Breathing. But God is so gracious, patient, and faithful to keep reminding me, and sometimes in dramatic ways to drive the point home. Now, when I find myself bored or depressed because of a lack in one area, I look around or simply up and find that He is meeting my needs, as He promised He would.

Be open, look for where He has chosen to provide, pause, and soak it in.

CLOUDS WILL HAVE TO DO
Living on the High Plains,
no mountains are in view.
So God gives us more heavens,
and clouds will have to do.
Everyday they're different,
some days a vast Monet.
Changing by the moment.
Once struck, don't look away.
Sometimes they're spreading fire
across the brightest blue,
or to west, a dark backdrop
with sunset blasting through.
Sometimes they’re small and dance about
Some frozen in their pose,
or a single one will fill the sky,
from edge to edge it goes.
Early in the morning,
with no range to block the rays,
gold shoots across the plains,
builds and trees will ablaze.
Each place, like every person,
has gifts to spread abroad.
Don't miss each day's chance to see
they're from and reflecting God.
Yes, the West Coast has some sunsets
and the East Coast has their dawns,
but here we have them both,
with more sky to play upon.
Psalm 19:1

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About Kirk Manton

Kirk Manton is a proud alumnus of The Journey and a continuiing contributor to our work of transforming leaders. Kirk serves as the Director of Production Services at Trinity Fellowship in Amarillo and volunteers with the C.S. Lewis Foundation. You can connect with Kirk and learn more about his writing at kirkmanton.com.